The Hammers entertain the Magpies looking for their first home win of the last ever season at the Boleyn Ground.

Gold and fellow co-owner David Sullivan have backed their new boss to the tune of around £30 million this summer, bringing in players like Dimitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna, Pedro Obiang, Michail Antonio, Nikica Jelavic and securing expensive loan deals for Alex Song, Victor Moses and Carl Jenkinson.

And it is Arsenal loan star Jenkinson who will have Bilic scratching his head according to Gold, as the defender returns from a one-game ban for the clash with Steve McClaren's men.

Bizarre start to the season

That's because of the circumstances surrounding what has been one of the most bizarre starts to a season for the Hammers.

They stole the show on the opening weekend with a stunning and convincing 2-0 win over title-hopefuls Arsenal at the Emirates.

But that was followed by a barely recognisable pair of performances in back-to-back defeats against Leicester City and Bournemouth at Upton Park, where Jenkinson had a particularly bad game and was sent off late on.

Then, just as dark clouds were threatening to gather so early in his reign, the Croatian boss pulled off a remarkable and historic first win over Liverpool at Anfield for 52 years - and by a 3-0 scoreline no less.

One common factor in both away victories was the presence of James Tomkins at right back, firstly because Jenkinson could not play against his parent club and then because he was suspended.